Measures announced to protect Irish biodiversity
A number of new initiatives have been announced today to protect Ireland’s biodiversity.
The country's first National Biodiversity Conference will take place in Dublin Castle today to outline the measures to help reverse biodiversity loss and implement the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 – 2021.
Funding for biodiversity actions by local authorities’ Biodiversity and Heritage Officers will be doubled to €1m.
Funding will be doubled to tackle invasive species by 2021 and a Climate Action Programme within the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht will be established.
An Irish Business and Biodiversity Platform with Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation with a range of Irish businesses.
Legislation to create a Biodiversity Duty on public and local authorities will be introduced, and a Memorandum of Understanding with An Garda Síochána will be established to improve surveillance, detection and prosecution of wildlife crime.
The conference will be opened by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan.
The Minister said: “We have also committed to providing €60m funding to protect our natural heritage and biodiversity in Project Ireland 2040.
"My Department is protecting our National Parks and Reserves, rebuilding the National Parks and Wildlife Service, restoring bogs and carrying out extensive scientific investigation and monitoring of habitats and species. In Budget 2019 we increased funding for our built and natural heritage sector by 15% to €54.3m.”
“So, a huge amount is being done, but we know we need to do more. The initiatives I will be announcing today are a sign of this Government’s commitment to protecting and restoring nature," she said.
However, success will only come through collaboration with farmers, foresters, fishers, local authorities, businesses and communities.
"I’m asking everyone to lead within their own sphere of influence for a new horizon for nature in Ireland. Our rivers, our kingfishers, our woodlands, our salmon, our pollinators, our meadows, our eagles, our whales and dolphins, will not thrive without it.”
